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Chicken Nachos

These 30-minute Loaded Chicken Nachos are packed full of mouthwatering Mexican flavors! Complete with fresh Pico de Gallo, tangy sour cream, and creamy avocado, serve this easy recipe as the perfect appetizer at your next party or game day event!

pan of nachos

Loaded Chicken Nachos

These sheet pan chicken nachos are a great go-to appetizer to bring to parties, get-togethers, or any game day celebration.

They’re super easy to make with quick clean-up, and everyone loves them!

Jam-packed with your favorite Mexican ingredients, these nachos start with thick restaurant-style tortilla chips that are layered with authentic Pico de Gallo covered shredded chicken and Mexican spiced beans, and topped with all your favorite fixings.

The best part about these nachos is that it can be as store-bought or homemade as you prefer! Most of the ingredients you have in your pantry or down any aisle at your local grocer.

But feel free to make your own Homemade Pico de Gallo and homemade tortilla chips to customize the dish to your taste buds even more.

No matter how you make this dish, one thing is for sure, these easy chicken nachos will be a crowd pleaser and an instant family favorite!

Big fan of nachos? Try my fajita nachos, Italian nachos, apple nachos, and pretzel nachos for dessert too!

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labeled picture of chicken nachos

Ingredients Needed

Tortilla chips: Use the restaurant-style tortilla chips and not the thin and crispy ones as they will break and won’t hold up to all the toppings!

Black beans: Be sure to use cooked black beans. Drain and rinse before mixing with the spices.

Cheese: I prefer using Mexican blend but shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Cotija would be amazing as well!

Chicken: I like to use store bought rotisserie chicken but feel free to use any leftover cooked chicken you may have.

Sour cream: For a lower calorie version, substitute half of the sour cream for Greek yogurt. Or you can use fat free.

Spices: This recipe calls for chili powder, cumin, and black pepper but you can certainly use store bought or a homemade taco seasoning as well. And for seasonings salt and pepper are a must.

Toppings: Pico de gallo, black olives, lime, avocado, jalapeno.

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

How to make Chicken Nachos

First: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Second: Spread tortilla chips on prepared baking sheet. Top tortilla chips with shredded chicken.

Third: In a medium mixing bowl, combine beans and spices. Spread seasoned beans over chicken.

Top with shredded cheese and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Fourth: Remove nachos from oven and top with remaining ingredients. Serve with lime wedges and a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

hand holding chip with beans and cheese

How long do they last?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

When ready to reheat, spread nachos out on a baking sheet and bake at 275°F for 5-10 minutes or until warmed and cheesy is melty.

What to Serve with Chicken Nachos

overhead pan of nachos

Can I make these in a skillet?

Sure can! The only change to the recipe would be the cooking time as a cast iron skillet allows for more layers and therefore it may take longer to melt the cheese all the way through.

I love making lots of things in my cast iron skillet!

How do I keep my nachos from getting soggy?

You can do a couple of things to keep your nachos from getting soggy.

First: Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature. Some ingredients release water as they warm up.

Second: Drain all your ingredients well before adding to the nachos

Third: Bake the chips and cheese first before adding the remaining ingredients. This melted cheese creates a barrier between the other toppings and the chips.

Fourth: Serve items or toppings like diced tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, etc on the side to keep them from dripping onto the chips still waiting to be eaten.

close up of chips and cheese

Favorite Toppings for Nachos

  • cheese, of course
  • black olives
  • fresh or pickled jalapenos
  • cilantro
  • avocado or guacamole
  • diced tomatoes
  • sour cream
  • salsa, salsa verde
  • green onions

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • Make clean-up REALLY easy by lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Swap out black beans for refried beans.
  • If you need more than a sheet pan’s worth of nachos, use an additional skillet or baking dish. Just be aware that it may take a little longer in the oven to ensure the cheese is melted in all the layers.
  • Feel free to use a rotisserie chicken from your local grocer or any leftover chicken; especially if it’s ready-to-shred from a crockpot or Instant Pot.
  • Use restaurant style tortilla chips as they are a thicker, sturdier chip and hold up better than other varieties.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

sheet pan nachos with text "loaded chicken"

Nachos are a great go-to appetizer, super bowl party, or busy weeknight meal. This homemade chicken sheet pan nachos recipe is easy to make, budget friendly, and ready in under 30-minutes. Plus, everyone loves nachos!

sheet pan nachos and a napkin

Loaded Chicken Nachos

These 30-minute Loaded Chicken Nachos are packed full of mouthwatering Mexican flavors!
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Easy Finger Foods
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 462kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 1 bag tortilla chips 10-14 ounces
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken I like rotisserie chicken
  • 1 14.5 ounce can black beans (drained, rinsed)
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheese I like a Mexican blend
  • 1 cup pico de gallo
  • 2 fresh avocados pitted, peeled, cubed
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 fresh jalapenos sliced
  • 1 can 2.25 ounces sliced black olives (drained)
  • Lime wedges for serving
  • Cilantro fresh, chopped for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Spread a bag of tortilla chips over the bottom of the prepared baking sheet.
  • Spread the chicken on the chips.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the beans, chili powder, cumin, and pepper.  Spread over the chicken.
  • Top with the shredded cheese and place in the oven till the cheese is melted. Approximately 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove and add the remaining toppings.
  • Serve with lime wedges and a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Make clean-up REALLY easy by lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Swap out black beans for refried beans.
  • If you need more than a sheet pan's worth of nachos, use an additional skillet or baking dish. Just be aware that it may take a little longer in the oven to ensure the cheese is melted in all the layers.
  • Feel free to use a rotisserie chicken from your local grocer or any leftover chicken; especially if it's ready-to-shred from a crockpot or Instant Pot.
  • Use restaurant style tortilla chips as they are a thicker, sturdier chip and hold up better than other varieties.
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 376mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g

    ©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

    Recipe Rating




    Allyssa

    Wednesday 6th of October 2021

    This taste so delicious and really flavorful! So easy to make as well, thanks a lot for sharing this amazing chicken nachos recipe! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

    Natalie

    Wednesday 6th of October 2021

    I'm making this for dinner tonight. Can't wait to dig in!

    Paula

    Tuesday 5th of October 2021

    So good I added a few more veggies and we enjoyed it as a meal.

    Gloria

    Tuesday 5th of October 2021

    Just what we need on Saturday night.

    Camille

    Tuesday 5th of October 2021

    I love this!